Patch Guide: Valentine's on the Cheap

Valentine’s Day needn’t be about spending money to prove your affection. After all, it’s supposed to be a celebration of love, which is supposed to be priceless. Here are some Arcadia Patch suggestions for a Valentine’s date that won’t break the bank:

Cook a Romantic Dinner
Fancy restaurants are all well and good, but the meal will be even more meaningful to your valentine if you cook it yourself. Mint Life offers a handy list of seven romantic meals, all of which cost less than $10 (and more important, a bit of effort) to prepare.

Take a Hike
One of the best things about Arcadia is having access to all the amenities of a bustling metropolis, while having some of Southern California's mosts stunning hiking trails literally in your backyard. If you have the time, check out the 9.4 mile Big Santa Anita Loop. For more ideas, visit trails.com

Have a Picnic                                                                                                Pack a picnic basket filled with your favorite treats and head over to the , which due to extensive damage from the recent windstorm. Enjoy gourmet fare while taking in the beauty of the Arboretum's stately heritage trees or Australian plants. , with its pond and nature center, can also serve as the romantic backdrop for a Valentine's Day picnic you nor your significant other will soon forget.

Make Your Own Box of Chocolates
There’s nothing worse than receiving a box of chocolates and realizing you either don’t like or are allergic to half the flavors. Fortunately, when you make your own, that’s not an issue. Allrecipes.com offers several simple recipes, which can be easily mastered by the most amateur chocolatier.

Have a Romantic Movie Night
Sometimes true love isn’t about spectacle and panache—it’s about a cozy night in, snuggling on the couch and eating popcorn. The Huffington Post’s Tiffany Shlain weighs in on the 10 Most Romantic Films of All Time.